NO SMOKING, NO ALCOHOL

This from Minister of Education, Hazel Manning, as the ministry launched the “School Policy on Drug Abuse and Prevention” at the ministry’s office, Alexander Street, St Clair, yesterday.

A 2002 survey conducted by the Caribbean Drug Information Network on 4,058 secondary school students of 56 schools revealed that 73 percent drank alcohol; 13.7 percent smoked marijuana; 37.5 percent smoked cigarettes; 6.7 percent used inhalants and 100 students reportedly experimented with cocaine and other illegal substances.

Steve Williams, Manager of Student Support Services, Ministry of Education said the results of the survey initiated the development of a comprehensive school drug policy.

He said the policy states that school boards, associations, school organising committees, Parent Teachers’ Associations, school administrators and officials of the ministry are not to allow tobacco or alcohol companies to distribute free, reduced or fully priced tobacco or alcohol products in schools and in the ministry. Additionally, the policy prohibits all tobacco and alcohol advertising such as billboards and signs in sports facilities, at schools or official offices.

Williams said, accepting revenue for advertising tobacco and alcohol products was inconsistent with the intent of the policy.

The policy, which takes effect from September, also places a ban on smoking in all school buildings including classrooms, laboratories, offices, work areas, study areas, reception areas, staff rooms, meeting rooms, restrooms, stair- wells, eating areas, hallways and sports facilities.

Smoking has also been prohibited in all buildings and offices of the Ministry of Education, this also applies to vehicles belonging to the ministry.

Under the policy, alcohol would no longer be sold, promoted or consumed on school compounds, including during school functions, bazaars or frolics. Alcohol, the policy states, refers to all spirits such as whisky, rum, wine, beer, stout, home-made wine, home- made rum (mountain dew babash) and/or any other intoxicating beverage.

The policy states that students and members of staff found in possession of banned substances, such as alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, inhalants and cocaine, would be subject to disciplinary measures according to the laws of the land.